Nokia takes Android head on by sourcing for local applications

Nokia 500, one of Nokia's new smartphones that will
get more local apps from 100 developers
this weekend.

Nokia is looking to revamp its smartphone unit in Africa. This has seen them coming up with devices such as the Nokia 500, which is fully touch and features a vastly improved version of its Symbian OS (Symbian Belle), with cool features that allow it to match off with Android and OS.

With the new devices and improved Symbian software, Nokia is now looking for applications form the region to entice users. I am in the midst of reviewing the Nokia 500, and it has quite a number of applications that you would expect on other smart phones, including Angry Birds.
While Android and iPhone may have a few local apps here and there, Nokia is looking to up the ante by calling in 100 developers to come up with local Symbian applications. This will be at an event to be held this weekend in Nairobi. It will be interesting to see what will come off the event.

Maybe we will have a Nokia application to track your M-Pesa usag. What are your other ideas for local apps?

Below is a press release on the event.

Nokia is calling on all Qt developers for the biggest hack-fest this side of the Limpopo. 100 developers will be put in a room for 48 hrs. to come up with the best Qt apps this nation has ever seen. The best app will win Kshs 1 Million at the end of the Hackathon.
This event is on invite only and registration closed on the 14th of June. Over 300 developers registered for the hackathon and only 100 will be invited to participate.
The Nokia Hack will be held at the 88MPH, Human IPO start up garage, Piedmont Plaza, 4th floor. It starts on the 23rd of June and ends on the 24th of June.
Certificates of participation will be issued and the winning apps will have trophies.
Prizes are as follows:

Top Prize: Kshs 1 million

Second Prize: Kshs 300,000

Third Prize: Kshs 100,000

Consolation prizes: 10 apps will get Kshs 10,000 each.

We shall feed you, entertain you and make you rich. See you then.
Program & Venue Details Saturday, 23 June, 2012 - Sunday, 24 June, 201208:00 - 17:00Human IPO, Ngong Road, 88MPH Start-up GaragePiedmont Plaza, 4th floorNairobi , KenyaFor more information, please visit http://www.cvent.com/events/nokia-developer-hackathon-kenya

Comments

Best mid-budget tyres in Kenya 2025

It is often said that tyres are the only thing keeping you in contact with the ground, and therefore safety is essential here. If we all could afford, we could purchase the best set of Michelin that money can buy and there would be no need to discuss options. But wishes are simply that.

Kenyan Beers and Craft Beer Reviews for 2025

It's 2025, and you asked for yet another Kenyan beer review. Let's cut straight to the chase - we keep the many stories for once we are drunk. Right? This year we categorize the beers according to breweries. Bila Shaka / Bateleur Flagship is Bila Shaka which is a rich flavoured but bitter IPA with 6% volume. They focus more on quality and experimenting. Home to many pleasantly (sweet per 2 people. I agree) favoured beers like Dire Straits, and for the ladies who love it a lot on the sweeter side, there's Honey Badger. These come in at about 5% or so. Jua Kali isn't as sweet as the above and is a mixed rice and barley beer, for some reason popular in the hot coast. Capitan is their bar beer and is a light-ish, pleasant beer at 4% volume and a good time passer when you're there for a long and good night and have things to do the next day. My favourite local brewer and highly recommended, especially Dire Straits. It's a medium beer, don...

Beers in Kenya: A sober opinion

Note: This is a dated post and has since been mostly passed by events. SAB Miller beers including Castle and Peroni are no longer widely available in Kenya after their exist. Sirville Brewery was bought out by Brew Bistro before being permanently shut in a tax dispute. Kenya is a land of milk, honey, beaches and taxes. I have penned, or is typed, a newer post here . Peroni - One of the best beers in Kenya. Did a taste of canned and bottled Italian, and bottled Tanzanian I like the tangy flavour and body in Tanzanian Peroni. The can is close. Heineken drinkers will like the Italian one. I have had a short beer swigging stint in my life. It has however been long enough for me to share my opinion of Kenyan beer. Interestingly, over the course of sharing such opinions with other drunkards connoisseurs, I have found that we all have different views as to what beer is the best, which one makes you too drunk, or which one gives one free, extra hangover for every ha...

How to Make Your Own Sparkling Water

Buying your own kit means you need to carbonate it in a fridge or freezer since Carbon Dioxide best dissolves at temperatures around zero. I have been making my own sparkling water for about a month now. It started with a love for carbonated water, but being appalled by the price - about KSh. 80 per 700 ml recyclable glass bottle. Sparkling water is sold as a premium drink. This got me researching into what it really takes to make your own sparkling water.

WhatsApp Solution: Sorry we were unable to restore any of your message history backup

*This method only works if you are trying to transfer WhatsApp from one phone to another, and have not deleted WhatsApp data or formatted the old phone. If you already uninstalled WhatsApp and deleted data or logged into a different number, it won't work. If you get the “Sorry we were unable to restore any of your message history backup” when trying to restore your WhatsApp messages, trying to restore again from the same backup will probably fail. The issue seems to be caused by an issue with your backup file such as if you repeatedly tried to backup with internet connecting and disconnecting.

Dennis Kioko

Search This Blog